What's special about Iceland?

[RishiRich]

DH went a few years ago and wants to go back. I've never been and don't really fancy it. I'm sure it's beautiful, but also very expensive and cold. I don't see what it's got that other lovely, cheaper, mountainous places haven't, except the Northern Lights, and they're not guaranteed.

Does anyone really love Iceland and rate it over Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, the Balkans etc.?

Switzerland Is amazing, but it's crazy expensive and baking hot in the summer.

Not comparable! Geysers, volcanoes, lagoons, phenomenal place. It's not just mountains. In fact there's not much in the way of mountains!

It’s different - the landscape is breathtaking but not anything like I’ve seen in Austria or Switzerland I love Switzerland too but it’s much greener. I’ve not been to Slovenia or the balkans though.

I forgot Iceland had volcanoes 😳That's an excellent selling point. I'd love to see a lava flow.

What about being able to walk between two tectonic plates. Yep, you can literally see the edge of the earths crust.

Iceland is full of volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls and geysers. Totally unlike the other places you mention. The appeal is because it’s so different. But it’s not pretty like Slovenia.

And the hot spring pools amazing

I didn't realise it wasn't particularly mountainous. I was thinking Switzerland-on-Sea. That puts me off (I love a mountain view) but the tectonic plate thing is cool, as are volcanoes and geysers. DH's favourite bit was watching the Northern Lights while sitting outside in a hot tub, surrounded by snow.

OP - Iceland is like landing on the moon.
it’s incredible and absolutely nothing like any other European country.
You won’t see lava flow (!!).
But it’s a volcanic rock island.
Google is your friend here…

Iceland is amazing. I've not been to any of the other places you've mentioned but I would love to go back to Iceland. The scenery, landscape, history, atmosphere... and I know not everyone loves the Blue Lagoon (though I did!) but all the hot water natural pools are brilliant, being in them while it's snowing...

Bloody expensive and gets packed in height of summer. The sort of place you'd go only once I'd say.

I'll let you know when I get back - I'm off there in 5 days for the first time and can't wait!

It's like nowhere else on earth. And I've been to a LOT of places.

it feels a bit like you’ve landed on another planet, or perhaps just stepped back a few million years on this one. You’re confronted by the planet’s geology in a raw and quite awe inspiring way. You feel incredibly close to immensely powerful forces that are making and re-making the ground around you and can’t help but imagine Earth before life when that was happening everywhere.

I think it is a place that really captures your imagination and stays with you long after you’ve left.

I hope you have a fantastic time!

I've watched travel and science programs on it. It just seems like Scotland but colder and 1000x more expensive. Goodness knows how you lot have made it sound more appealing!

I’ve been to most of those places and it’s just different. It’s beautiful in a different way. We went last year; my husband was super keen to visit and I was only moderately interested. Well, I was happy to eat my words. Volcanos, glaciers, thermal pools and black sand beaches, we loved every bit of it. And we would definitely
go back and see more of the east side of the country. My only remark is that it wasn’t a “foodie” destination, well it possibly is if you have more money than we did. The kids still talk about the loaded hotdogs that you buy from street vendors though 😂.

We've been twice and it's mine and DPs favourite place. It's like nothing I've ever seen before, natural beauty and wonder wherever you look. But yes, extremely expensive and very cold. It's not everyone's cup of tea but I would 100% recommend giving it a try!

We went about 20 years ago and agree with pp, it’s the fact it’s so different that makes it so appealing. Standing on the beach was like being in a black and white photo - black sand and a misty sky, everywhere was just black and shades of grey!

Loved the geysers and Blue Lagoon.

I’m not bothered about hot weather when I go away, so the cold didn’t bother me. I don’t remember it being that cold in September anyway.

We did a day trip to Greenland too.

Not at all comparable to Austria etc. Eerily beautiful and elemental. Incredible place and I would LOVE to go back and see more. We went in Oct and did see the northern lights. It’s not pretty in the conventional sense, more awe inspiring. Best place I’ve ever been

Honestly, I only wanted to go to Iceland to see the northern lights. That's it. Went for my 35th birthday. Didn't see the northern lights but I'm not even sad. Went again at 38. Didn't see the northern lights. Still not sad. Going again this December.

The place is beautiful . It's atmospheric and primal and you could half expect a dinosaur to stomp past. You can see such a drastic variety of terrain all on one island. The Geysirs are mind blowing, as is Gullfoss falls. Diamond beach is crazy lovely. The Blue lagoon. The glacier. Whale and puffing watching. The people are delightful and the nights long and all the better for snuggling. I can't wait to go back with my DH.

It is beautiful and I love geography so lots to interest me.

All of the above but also lots of Viking heritage.

Thingvellir is amazing - site of the 1st viking parliament.

I also loved the the tiny Viking World Museum. They had a replica Viking boat which has actually sailed to America. The kids got to swing a real Viking sword (Health & Safety is not so strict in Iceland, they loved it).

If you go in the summer it’s warm enough. The whales are more plentiful then and you can see the puffins. You can see amazing vistas and seascapes. Little villages and lots of horses. It has super jeep tours! Just the best ever trip for us. We were allowed to drive one! The country is all about the power of nature.

We stayed at good hotels and did eat out at the best restaurants. I think only Dill has a Michelin star but 5 restaurants are in the Guide, so are very nice but not amazing. Very enjoyable food is available in cafes and local restaurants. We didn’t find it ludicrously expensive.

September can have iffy weather. June is better I think. It can rain at any time. We had snow in September. For northern lights you need it clear - so if it’s cloudy there’s no chance.

Where in Iceland would people recommend to go and see some of the cool stuff mentioned above but with four kids in tow? Is there anywhere that we could go and do the Santa thing for one day but then spend the rest of the time seeing all that cool stuff and is it too cold for babies? Youngest is one x

We're going to Iceland early next year so has been great reading this thread! We are doing the Blue Lagoon (and staying for a night). Has anyone eaten there? How was it? Also, has anyone been to the Sky Lagoon? Planning to go there too.

I think Santa is more Finland isn't it?

I would say 4 children here would be very expensive.

It's pretty warm here today - very much t shirt weather. You won't see northern lights but there are puffins and whales.

I have been on an Iceland Fb group and I would be wary travelling here in winter as the weather can be very changeable and there seem to be a lot of cancelled tours, right up until March time.